Can the smell of peppermint oil hurt dogs? Here’s the Answer

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Signs Of Essential Oil Poisoning In Pets

Essential oils can be absorbed through the skin and metabolized in the liver, so dogs with liver disease may be more sensitive to them. While exposure to any essential oils can cause mild GI issues like vomiting and diarrhea, some oils can be fatal, including tea tree oil, which affects the nervous system. Essential oil poisoning in pets occurs when the oil is absorbed by the skin or ingested by the pet. It can happen accidentally or when a pet parent unknowingly applies it to the skin. Symptoms of essential oil poisoning include:

Signs Your Dog Can Smell Essential Oils

According to PBS, dogs have more than 300 million olfactory receptors, compared to just 6 million in humans. This means that their sense of smell is incredibly powerful. The bottom line? Yes, dogs can smell essential oils. However, not all essential oils are safe for your dog. Lavender is perhaps the most popular (and one of the safest) because of its calming properties. Peppermint oil is another good one that can stimulate circulation and deter pesky insects.

So how do you know if your dog is smelling those essential oils you have going in the diffuser? For one, their nose will probably start to wiggle as they take in the new scent and try to figure out what exactly is going on. They may sneeze, which could indicate the essential oil is bothering them, so be sure to watch for this.

Here are some signs your dog can smell essential oils:

These are other signs your dog may smell essential oils:

  • Sniffing The Air
  • Looking Around For The Scent

    • If it’s toxic to pets, why does peppermint oil show up in so many products?

    Some pet owners say it’s an effective treatment for several health conditions. As with any pet product, your source of truth should be your veterinarian.

    Here are a few of the claimed benefits of peppermint oil for our furry friends, which you can ask your veterinarian about. However, we don’t find any of these to be a trade-off for the fact it’s toxic to your pup.

  • Muscle pain relief. A salve or balm with peppermint oil as an ingredient may have a cooling effect on muscles, like IcyHot®.
  • Allergy relief. Used in an essential oil diffuser, peppermint oil may help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. Your house will smell minty-fresh, too!
  • Fleas and ticks. This is one of the more popular claims from dog owner’s testimonies, but peppermint oil simply hasn’t been proven to be an effective flea repellent or killer. Traditional flea medicine you can get prescribed by a vet is much safer and more effective.
  • Antiseptic. Some claim that peppermint oil has antiseptic properties, but there is not much evidence of this. Never use essential oils on cuts or wounds as they can cause burns and worsen the problem.

    • In addition to smelling nice, there is some evidence that peppermint oil can help ward off harmful microbes, though not specifically on dogs. Again, we don’t think these properties make up for the fact that it could harm your dog. Some studies have found peppermint oil to have:

    The largest drawback is its toxicity, though it’s not clear what amount of peppermint oil is fatal to dogs. Skin irritation and difficulty breathing are also side effects. Since we don’t have concrete evidence of the oil’s antimicrobial properties, it’s safe to say the potential adverse reactions outweigh the benefits.

    That’s why we say that peppermint oil is unsafe for dogs and wouldn’t recommend trying it.

    Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that are usually made through distillation. They’re primarily used for aromatherapy, but some people use them for medicinal purposes.

    In recent years, essential oils have become increasingly popular natural remedies worldwide. In 2021, the global essential oils market size was valued at $9.62 billion, according to Fortune Business Insights. It’s projected to reach $18.25 billion by 2028.

    Peppermint oil is one of the most popular essential oils. Aside from smelling minty-fresh, it’s claimed to boost energy, reduce muscle pain, and soothe digestive upset for humans. If you’re wondering whether peppermint oil can help your dog in the same ways, you’re not alone. However, peppermint oil is toxic to dogs, so we recommend steering clear.

    How much peppermint is toxic to dogs?

    Whenever you feel like relaxing and reducing your stress, peppermint is a good way to do so. Its aroma is soothing and it warms your body up. However, for dogs, peppermint makes a different appeal and you would find them far away from you since the scent unbearable for them. Likeable Pets can help you regarding on your pets problem.

    But, before you remove peppermint oil off your shopping list, there is a growing debate regarding peppermint oil and its benefits for dogs.